March 19th

By Chris Umscheid
North Liberty Leader
TIFFIN— Extending Ireland Avenue north to Highway 6 has been in the planning and discussion phase for several years, yet there are still many unknowns. Among them is where and how two mainstays of the Tiffin business community will be accessed.

NORTH LIBERTY– The bigger the business, the more attention it garners from the city governors, and the more likely it is to garner financial assistance in the form of tax rebates, forgivable grants and other incentives to locate here.
When it comes to small businesses, North Liberty’s role– as with most city governments– has largely been hands-off, until recently.
Now, North Liberty is beginning to reach out to the small business sector in new ways.

JOHNSON COUNTY– Despite rising land costs and a down economy, figures released in November 2011 show that now more than ever, people are making financial and individual commitments to preserve the nation’s natural areas for recreational use and habitat protection and to safeguard water supplies.
Data in the 2010 National Land Trust Census Report show that the total acres of land conserved by local, state and national land trusts grew by about 23 million acres in the last 10 years. Iowa showed a 22 percent increase in protected land since 2005.

The Solon Community School District 2011-2012 study states, “SCSD stakeholders will analyze and study aspects of standards-based grading and reporting at all grade levels.” Teachers, students and administrators presented their experiences implementing and learning through standards-based grading at the Dec. 8 School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) meeting. A similar presentation was given at the Feb. 6 board of education work session. Parents and community members are invited to a SIAC-sponsored forum on standards-based grading, Tuesday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Solon High School art club students kindly request your presence at the Third Annual Solon High School Empty Bowls Luncheon to End Hunger on Saturday, March 31, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the high school commons. Guests will be served a modest lunch of soup and bread in a ceramic bowl handmade by a local student, educator, or community member for a suggested minimum donation of $10. Guests are encouraged to keep the bowl at the end of their meal, with their compliments and sincere gratitude. All money collected will be donated to the Johnson County Crisis Center and Food Bank.

Solon High School art club students kindly request your presence at the Third Annual Solon High School Empty Bowls Luncheon to End Hunger on Saturday, March 31, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the high school commons. Guests will be served a modest lunch of soup and bread in a ceramic bowl handmade by a local student, educator, or community member for a suggested minimum donation of $10. Guests are encouraged to keep the bowl at the end of their meal, with their compliments and sincere gratitude. All money collected will be donated to the Johnson County Crisis Center and Food Bank.

Plan to attend this year’s National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Monday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. The public is invited to attend and congratulate this year’s inductees.

“Hugo” (2011, PG, Family/Adventure/Drama) Set in 1930’s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. Based on the book by Brian Selznick. This film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won five. We have two copies in anticipation of high demand for this title.